Measures to aid in faster power line repairs and ensure sturdier posts and lines are now being studied, including the possibility of designing a system for underground cabling in storm-prone areas by 2026.
Energy Secretary Sharon Garin, in a briefing on Monday, December 1, said power has been back in most of the areas in Luzon and the Visayas that were affected by the recent strong typhoons, except for several areas in Catanduanes, which are expected to have full restoration by December 22, and those in mountainous and far-flung areas.
“But what we also want to do is build back better (and) stronger posts that can withstand 300 kph of wind so that when we have more storms, hopefully it stays put at hindi na tayo uulit pa ng restoration (and we don’t have to repeat the restoration),” she said.
“One of our ambitions and our hope (is) that by next year we can design one city, or two, that is a typhoon-prone area that we can put underground cables already,” she said.
This, as she noted the intensive repair done in several areas that have been hit by typhoons.
Meanwhile, an exhibit was opened at the Department of Energy (DOE) on Monday, which shows models of various power generation facilities using different technologies.
Garin underscored the need for the public “to be conscious about the value of energy” to help the government in ensuring energy efficiency.
“Let’s learn how to conserve energy and let’s learn how to be more efficient in our utilization of energy,” she said. (PNA)
